Belt and Suspenders

[dnjan]

I saw an interesting set of suspenders yesterday (sorry, no picture - I didn't know the gentleman and didn't want to interrupt him).

Instead of attaching directly to the pants, the suspenders had pieces on the ends that a belt went through.

I am not against the belt+suspenders approach, as it seems like a good solution for a gentleman of a more "portly" build (as this man was), who prefers to use suspenders to keep his pants up, but doesn't like showing the waist button of his pants when not wearing either a vest or a buttoned jacket. I am guessing that the belt would have a stiffening effect on the waistband of the pants, and prevent sagging on either side of the normal suspender buttons.
But I have never seen this "belt through suspender ends" attachment before.

Has anyone else?

 

[DeaconKC]

It is also useful for those of us who carry a handgun, having a couple pounds of metal attached to your belt can be much more comfortable with suspenders to help keep everything from heading for the Mason Dixon Line!

 

[Gin&Tonics]

They sell them at Wal Mart. I thought it was a fashion faux pas to wear such attire.

From a practical stand point vis a vis carrying a gun, I can see the utliltity. In fact many officers around here wear black nylon webbing suspenders to take some of the weight of their duty belts off their hips and lower back. they're not meant to be seen, though.

 

[dnjan]

These were fairly wide, and black, if I remember correctly.
Perhaps this gentleman started with them to keep his gun-laden belt up, and kept them into retirement to keep his (uhm) gut-laden pants up.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I never thought of that for carrying. Having a gun on your hip can really cause your pants to sag.

 

[Gene]

I never thought of that for carrying. Having a gun on your hip can really cause your pants to sag.

I hear that. If my shoulder holster isn't practical that day I wear mine either on my hip or tucked into the back of my pants and it's tough to constantly adjust.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

Shoulder holsters are cool!

I hear that. If my shoulder holster isn't practical that day I wear mine either on my hip or tucked into the back of my pants and it's tough to constantly adjust.

 

[johnnycanuck]

Also if he has a few extra pounds suspenders work better for keeping your pants up. I have heard that a belt is the number one cause of hurnia in older men (cinching up to tight) so suspenders are the way to go.
Johnny

 

[carldelo]

They apparently have a name - Perry suspenders. I remembered seeing them here:
http://www.suspenderstore.com/besu.html
I figured they were for the very portly, but hearing the input re: carrying service weapons, they make a lot more sense now.

 

[Vampyre Master]

I love the language differences, here in the UK suspenders are what women hold stockings up with !!
V

 

[Gin&Tonics]

And in North America, "braces" are the metal apparatus that kids get on their teeth to straighten them out. What do they call those in the UK I wonder?

 

[esteban68]

braces.

 

[Gin&Tonics]

Funny, so the same word refers to both.

As the old saying goes, "Two people separated by a common tongue"

 

[dnjan]

They apparently have a name - Perry suspenders. I remembered seeing them here:
http://www.suspenderstore.com/besu.html
I figured they were for the very portly, but hearing the input re: carrying service weapons, they make a lot more sense now.

Yes, that is the belt-clip that I saw!

 

[cw3pa]

I picked up a set of suspenders while traveling in Idaho years ago with loops for the trouser's belt to slide through.

I included the maker's mark.

By the way; in this neck of the woods suspenders/braces are at times called galluses [which according to Webster's is a variant of gallows]. Isn't English fun?

 

[Fifty150]

Shoulder holster are only cool until you get into a fight. Now the guy that you're grappling with has easy access to your firearm. I like to have my firearm in the same place at all times. Muscle memory. If you train with a hip holster, that's simply where you're instinctively reaching when you are in danger. I would hate to reach towards my hip, and come up with nothing, because I decided to carry in a shoulder holster, ankle holster, fanny pack, etc. Buy your pants larger. Get an inside the pants holster for better concealment.

 

[feltfan]

http://www.hickmansuspenders.com/

Looks like nice stuff.

 

[Fifty150]

The Hickman looks a lot better than the Perry.

 

[Gin&Tonics]

Shoulder holster are only cool until you get into a fight. Now the guy that you're grappling with has easy access to your firearm. I like to have my firearm in the same place at all times. Muscle memory. If you train with a hip holster, that's simply where you're instinctively reaching when you are in danger. I would hate to reach towards my hip, and come up with nothing, because I decided to carry in a shoulder holster, ankle holster, fanny pack, etc. Buy your pants larger. Get an inside the pants holster for better concealment.

The flip side of that was an anecdote I heard from a retired police lieutennant from Chicago. An acquaintance of his was set upon off duty by a pair of low life scum intent on murdering him with his own weapon. They set upon him, one behind and one in front, and reached for his gun at his hip; it was actually hidden in his shoulder holster. He grabbed his pistol, shot the assailant behind him with the gun still holstered, then kicked the other back and shot him in the face all in a lightning quick motion.

Every setup has it's ups and downs.

Update re: belt and suspenders, my brand new copy of "A Well Dressed Gentleman's Pocket Guide" lists belt and suspenders together as a faux pas that is to be avoided at all costs.